The Darker Face of the Earth

by Rita Dove

Book Overview

Published to coincide with its British premiere at the Royal National Theatre, The Darker Face of the Earth is Rita Dove's first play. Set on a plantation in pre-Civil War South Carolina, it has been... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1885266944
• ISBN13: 9781885266941
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Story Line Press
• Length: 182 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.5" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

The Darker Face of the Earth

The Darker Face of the Earth is a wonderful book. It keeps the reader on the edge of his seat. The play is based on the well know Greek story of Oedipus, so it makes the story easier to follow for the reader. Even though you know what will happen in the end of the story it is still surprisingly suspenseful. There are many more actions in this play that lead up to the conclusion than in Oedipus, which adds to the enjoyment of reading this book. The Darker Face of the Earth is an excellent mix of the tangles of a mother and son caught in their sins, and the hardships of slavery. The play is a quick read and I recommend it to anyone who has a free hour or two, because once you start reading this book you will not be able to put it down.

The Darker Face of the Earth

Rita Dove's poetry permeates this remarkable new play which uses the Oedipal myth as a structural device as well as a means to enter the world of human slavery as practiced in South Carolina circa 1829-1840. Central to the story is the unusual and compelling relationship between the plantation owner, Amalia Jennings, and her newly acquired revolutionary slave, Augustus Newcastle. Unlike the other slaves who collectively function as the Greek chorus, Augustus can read and write, thus making him not only dangerous but attractive to the high spirited Amalia. Greek mythology aside, THE DARKER FACE OF THE EARTH is a challenging play not only for the reader but for potential producers. But it is well worth the challenge. It is rare that depictions of the conditions of slavery are revealed by 1) an African American, 2) a woman, 3) a poet, and 4) a master storyteller.